How Can CBD Oil Help My Dog?

Are you wondering, “how CBD oil can help my dog?”

At first glance, dogs and CBD oil seem like an unlikely combination. After all, CBD, which is more properly known as cannabidiol, is a compound found in cannabis. Why would any responsible dog owner consider the possibility of giving something like that to their canine companion? It’s simple. There is a growing conviction that the medical use of cannabis can benefit both people and animals. In fact, there is reason to believe that CBD oil has the potential to combat a diverse assortment of health issues and to provide significant improvements in a dog’s quality of life.

How Can CBD Oil Help My Dog?

In part due to issues with legality, the scientific research into the veterinary use of CBD oil is lacking, but there is a continually growing body of impressive anecdotal evidence that suggests that this substance can help with a wide range of health troubles. For dogs, the potential benefits of CBD oil include:

What Exactly Is CBD Oil?

When exploring the idea that CBD oil can help dogs, many people find themselves curious about what exactly CBD oil is. As the name implies, CBD oils are oils that contain varying concentrations of CBD. What is CBD? As Medical News Today explains, it is a cannabinoid, a compound found in the cannabis plant. There are actually several cannabinoids, and different cannabinoids produce different effects. CBD is not psychoactive and was once thought to be biologically inactive, but that perception is changing. Today, medical researchers and health professionals are increasingly intrigued by dogs and CBD oil and potential health benefits for both people and their pets.

Will CBD Oil Get a Dog High?

The idea that CBD oil can help dogs often strikes people as strange at first. Many worry that it will make their dog high. It won’t. While it can have significant impacts on the body, CBD does not impact the user’s state of mind. Scientists have confirmed that tetrahydrocannabinol, a different cannabinoid that is often referred to as THC, is the ingredient that is the source of the high associated with use of products derived from the cannabis plant. Interestingly, there is a natural inverse relationship between THC and CBD. The Washington Post reports that cannabis plants raised to have high levels of THC have low levels of CBD; plants with lower levels of THC have higher levels of CBD.

What About Dogs and THC?

If taking CBD oil can benefit dogs, what about THC? Like chocolate, THC is dangerous for dogs. Consuming THC can lead to poisoning symptoms, including nausea, noise sensitivity, loss of balance and even coma in dogs. Fortunately, pet-friendly medical options like quality CBD oils do not contain THC.

Why Hasn’t the Veterinarian Mentioned CBD Oil?

If CBD oil can be helpful for dogs dealing with health troubles, why don’t vets prescribe or recommend it? As of early 2017, some form of cannabis is legal for medical or recreational use in 29 states and the District of Columbia. Conversely, it is still illegal at the federal level; there, it is classified as a Schedule 1 drug with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. As USA Today explains, veterinarians, including those practicing in states where cannabis is legal, risk losing their licenses if they recommend CBD oil and other forms of medical cannabis. With that threat hovering over their professional heads, it is no wonder that veterinarians are reluctant to discuss the use of CBD oil for dogs. However, that does not mean that they are not interested in the subject. While it cautions veterinarians to follow the law in their area, the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association has issued an official statement pointing to the growing veterinary evidence that cannabis can improve the quality of life for many animals and calling for clinical research into the safety, dosing and uses of cannabis in animals.

When it comes to CBD oil for dogs, what do owners need to know before they try treating their canine companions? For starters, it is vital to select a quality, pet-friendly CBD oil from a reputable company. In addition, it is important to remember that the concentration of CBD in the oil can vary from brand to brand. For safety’s sake, it is best if owners start their dog with a low dose and, if no side effects are apparent, increase the dose gradually until a therapeutic benefit is observed. A variety of pet-friendly CBD oils are available, and more and more people are talking about how use of these products has improved their pets’ lives. It’s no surprise that many pet lovers who want to help their dog live a happier, healthier life are asking “Can CBD oil help my dog?”